1. Subscribe Now
  2. Follow Us
  3. Follow us on Facebook Follow us at Twitter Subscribe to our global feed
  4. |
  5. Advertise

Rewind: Jimmy Eat World at the 9:30 Club

By Jesseka Kadylak

Jimmy Eat World on stage at the 9:30 Club.

Jimmy Eat World on stage at the 9:30 Club.

In 1999, Jimmy Eat World put out an album called Clarity. The rock band  has released three full-lengths since then, but diehard fans will argue that none of its albums will surpass the greatness that is Clarity.

Last night at the 9:30 Club, fans packed the house for a performance of the album in full to celebrate its tenth anniversary. The merchandise line streamed back to the bar as fans eagerly waited to get their hands on the freshly pressed Clarity vinyl—roughly 40 copies are available at each leg of the ten-date tour. (Don’t worry, a vinyl package can be ordered online.)

Fans behaved themselves and were receptive as opening act Reubens Accomplice took the stage. The quintet held its own with strong vocals, slide guitar, a female drummer, and some fun theatrics such as using car keys in place of shakers, the bassist playing the keyboard with the head of his four-string guitar, and one of the vocalists singing through a megaphone.

But the band’s set was forgotten the moment Jimmy Eat World launched into “Table for Glasses.” If vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach Lind weren’t standing right in front of their fans, the set could have easily been mistaken for a recording. They didn’t miss a beat or a note, and the vocals were as crisp as though they’d just been edited in the studio.

The band played the album in its entirety and in order, and it shouldn’t have been any other way. The stage wasn’t decorated with too much flash—a simple light backdrop changed colors throughout the songs—and the smoke machine wasn’t on overdrive, so it didn’t take away from the music.

The set ended with “Goodbye Sky Harbor,” with Adkins looping the vocals to capture the intricate layered sound heard on the last ten minutes of Clarity. The band cut the song shorter than the 16-minute album version, and this could only mean saving room for one thing: an amazing encore.

Fans know that when the lights of a venue aren’t instantly turned back on, the band will reclaim the stage for a few more songs. With nothing left to play from Clarity, what would it play?

The rockers first did some oldies: “What Would I Say to You Now” from the seven-inch split with JeJune and “No Sensitivity” from the split with Jebediah. The guys didn’t leave fans of their more recent albums hanging. They played “Work” and “Pain” from Futures before launching into the Bleed American radio hit “The Middle.” Over roaring screams and chants for more, Adkins struggled to find words other than “thank you” and closed the show with “Sweetness”—a pretty sweet end to an already sweet night.

As the crowd filtered through the exits, the only echoed criticism was “I wish they would’ve talked more.” Other than that, it was a stellar show.


Category Tags: Music


Post a comment

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.

Click to download our new iPhone mobile app

 

  1. Art (169 Entries)
  2. Artini (6 Entries)
  3. Artini Video (3 Entries)
  4. Belly Up (23 Entries)
  5. Books (72 Entries)
  1. More
  1. February 2012 (27 Entries)
  2. January 2012 (68 Entries)
  3. December 2011 (61 Entries)
  4. November 2011 (62 Entries)
  5. October 2011 (78 Entries)
  1. More
Find A ...
Find A Restaurant







  1. Only show Delivery
    Only show Kid Friendly
    Only show Late Night
    Only show Party Space
    Only show Weekend Brunch
Find Events




Find A Happy Hour





  1. search_finda.gif
Find A Spa




  1. search_finda.gif
Find a Home





  1. search_finda.gif
  2. Powered by  
Find A Hotel


  1.   


  2. Reviewed by Washingtonian
  3. Kid Friendly     Valet Parking
    Handicap Accessible    

  4. Childcare
    WiFi
    Pet Friendly
    Bar/Lounge/Dining
    Airport Shuttle
    Salon/Spa
    Swimming Pool
    Fitness Room
    On-site Drycleaning
    Meeting Rooms
    Golf
    Tennis Courts
    Game Room
  5. search_finda.gif
Newsletter Signup
  1. Washingtonian Deals
  2. Bridal Party
  3. Dining Out
  4. Kliman Online
  5. Shop Around
  6. Where & When
  7. Photo Opps
  8. Learn more sign_up.gif
 

What to Do This Weekend: February 9 to 12

Woo at the Zoo, the opening of “Genesis Robot” at Synetic Theater, and the Washington DC International Wine & Food Festival. more

Music Picks: Jack’s Mannequin, All Things Gold, Steve Aoki

Our recommendations for the best in live music over the next seven days. more

Follow Us Follow us on Facebook Follow us at Twitter Subscribe to our global feed
Get the Magazine Washington Lives By

It's your source for dining, nightlife, news, health, shopping and more in Washington.

Subscribe to Washingtonian

Washingtonian Magazine provides the best insights on:

Subscribe today for only $29.95 for 12 issues.